What is alkaline water? It’s a hot topic lately, so we wanted to provide answers to commonly asked questions in one place.
It’s important to note that we are not the source of these answers, these are from medical professionals. We provide source links below.
What is Alkaline Water?
Water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen. That’s why you call it H2O. Water’s pH level determines how acidic it is and ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. That “seven” number is considered neutral or balanced between acidic and alkaline. If water is below 7 on the pH scale, it’s “acidic.” If it’s higher than 7, it’s “alkaline.”
EPA guidelines state that the pH of tap water should be between 6.5 and 8.5. Still, tap water in the U.S. tends to fall below that — in the 4.3 to 5.3 range — depending on where you live.
Bottled water falls under different standards depending on whether it claims to be alkaline. Bottled alkaline water has a pH level above 7. In some cases, manufacturers use a special device to change the chemical makeup of the water. Other times, they add nutrients to the water to change its pH.
For comparison, orange juice has a pH of 3.3 and black coffee is about a 5. Source
Alkaline Water: What are the Health Claims?
Enthusiasts claim that its increased hydrogen provides greater hydration than regular water, especially after a hard workout.
Fans also say that regular drinking water with a pH below 7 creates too much acid in your blood and cells. They blame plain water’s low pH for all sorts of health problems, from osteoporosis to cancer.
Water that is more alkaline supposedly reduces acid in the bloodstream and:
- Improves metabolism
- Increases energy
- Slows aging
- Improves digestion
- Reduces bone loss
Backers of high-pH water say it also has the power to starve cancer cells. Source
Alkaline Water: Are the Health Claims Substantiated?
The health claims about alkaline water are more about sales than science. There isn’t much research to support them.
Also, your body, on its own, can keep your pH levels at an even keel. Your kidneys are your built-in filtration system. It’s their job to balance the acid levels in your body. If your blood gets too acidic, your body brings it down by breathing out more carbon dioxide.
Your stomach is the great equalizer. Your gastric juices — a combination of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid — neutralize everything you eat and drink. Basically, your stomach will re-acidify alkaline water before it can do anything the health claims promise. Source
Is Alkaline Water Better for You than Plain Water?
For most people, alkaline water is not better than plain water.
Bottled water sold as alkaline water, which is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, might have nutrients added to it to achieve an alkaline pH.
Alkaline water has a higher pH level than that of plain tap water. So proponents say that it can neutralize acid in your bloodstream. Some say that alkaline water can help prevent disease, such as cancer and heart disease. However, more research is needed to verify these claims.
Some studies also suggest that alkaline water might help slow bone loss. But further studies are needed to find out if it influences overall bone mineral density and if the benefit continues over the long term.
Source: Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. Mayo Clinic. Link
Purity Bay Water Solutions
Purity Bay is a water filtration system manufacturer with headquarters in Tampa Bay and El Paso, Texas with over 20 years in the business. We are so dedicated to customer satisfaction that our unique ten-stage system comes with a lifetime warranty.
At Purity Bay, we manufacture custom water filtration systems. Our water systems are designed to create soft, purified water. If a customer wants us to alkalize their water, we can help with that too. We add a device that converts the water after it has been put through reverse osmosis. And we are happy to do so to for the customer’s desired water taste.
Finding the Right System
Getting the right system includes testing your water to understand what’s in it. Keep in mind alkaline water systems don’t necessarily address hardness or contaminants.
Purity Bay specializes in a wide range of home water solutions, including water softeners, reverse-osmosis systems, whole home water filtration systems and anything in between. Whether you need help selecting a water system or servicing an existing system, our experienced team can help you out!
